Costain wins £6m to clear out nuclear reactor

Costain has won a £6m contract to carry out the first phase of decommissioning of the Dragon nuclear reactor in Dorset.

The 21-month contract signifies amnother major milestone in the Winfrith site closure programme.

Dragon reactor was a 20MW high temperature helium cooled reactor opened in 1964 and was a collaboration by 12 European countries to prove the feasibility of a new reactor type.

Costain will be clearing out the inner and outer containment areas of the reactor including removal of redundant plant and decontamination to low levels.